Laptop and mobile phone Smart phone applications (apps) exist for your BlackBerry, iPhone or Google Android to help you save you money. But they are not just for these flashy handhelds – some can be used on any web-enabled mobile.
Andrew Stucken looks at some of the many apps available – of which plenty are free:
Price comparison websites are already familiar fare, relentlessly advertised on television. But imagine having access to them right in the shop, to use as a bargaining tool and drive down the price. Imagine no longer. Some phones will come with an app pre-installed, or you might want to download one such as Red Laser for iPhone at £1.19. Those not blessed with such expensive kit can meanwhile view some price comparison sites on a web-enabled mobile.
In a similar vein, get the best price while shopping with the Sccope2save barcode scanner for iPhone. The camera takes a photo of the item which the app then compares with other retailers’ prices. Works best for big ticket items.
A supremely useful app for tracking daily expenses is Ixpenseit for iPhone at £2.99 – or Simple Budget 2 for BlackBerry. You can record all your expenses to see where your cash is going. A free trial version is available.
Petrol Prices To check the cost of fuel try the free Fuel Prices Plus app for BlackBerry or Petrol Prices Pro for iPhone at just £2.99. Enter your postcode for the cheapest prices locally.
Cookit is a free app for the Google Android phone. This truly ingenious invention searches for a recipe based on the ingredients you have in the cupboard – thrift heaven.
Mobile phone usage It is easy to exceed your monthly free usage and the Mobileallowance app at 59p allows for easy checking of your remaining minutes.
Supermarket prices can be simply checked using the Ocado app – which is free.
Avoid 0870 number costs – normally 35p per minute from a mobile. The 0870 app is free and converts these numbers to 01- or 02- prefixed ones. Meaning the calls are also free as they come out of your contracted minutes.
Currency is another free iPhone app which as the name suggests tracks exchange rates.
A free – and very useful 'where to find it' app for BlackBerry users is Poynt. It will locate businesses, cinemas, restaurants etc. for you. Go to m.poynt.com/ota to download.
Written by Andrew Stucken, this article was first published on April 14, 2010. Details correct at time of publication. Andrew's opinions are his own and for general information only. Always seek independent, professional, financial advice.